Plano teen arrested in ISIS-inspired plot
FBI says youth told sources he wanted to attack Frisco mall
DALLAS — A Plano West Senior High School student was arrested on suspicion of making an ISIS-inspired plan to commit a mass shooting at Frisco’s Stonebriar Centre mall with help from others, authorities announced Wednesday.
Matin Azizi-Yarand, 17, faces charges of making a terroristic threat and criminal solicitation of capital murder of a Texas peace officer. He was taken into custody at school Tuesday and transferred Wednesday to the Collin County Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of $3 million bail. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
Authorities say Azizi-Yarand was planning to carry out the attack in mid-May. He had sent more than $1,400 to others to buy weapons and tactical gear. He also had written a “Message to America” explaining his reasons for the attack.
The teen discussed his plans during online communications with FBI confidential sources and an undercover employee, mulling over attacks at a school and a Hindu temple before settling on Stonebriar Centre, according to the probable cause affidavit.
During one conversation, he stated: “I’d actually like to make a cop surrender and drop his gun // then douse him with gasoline and burn him // record it.”
The case was investigated by Plano and Frisco police and the FBI. It will be prosecuted by the Collin County District Attorney’s Office.
“We are fortunate that the brave men and women of local and federal law enforcement work around the clock to prevent acts of terrorism and mass shootings,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said in a news release. “I’d like to thank the FBI’s North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Frisco and Plano police departments for their efforts in this case and their vigilance in protecting the citizens of Collin County.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent-InCharge Eric K. Jackson said in a news release that the agency knows of no other threats related to Azizi-Yarand’s arrest.
“The American people can take comfort in knowing that we continue to work diligently to protect and defend the United States and to ensure the safety of the communities we serve,” Jackson said.
The attack was planned to happen during Ramadan to limit the number of Muslim casualties, the teen told one of the sources. This year’s observance begins May 15.
“The facts of this case, though alarming, serve as an example of the power of cooperation and the importance of each individual remaining vigilant in the spirit of ‘see something-say something,’” Frisco Police Chief John Bruce said in a news release.
The teen stated that his plan was to cause financial damage, “setting stores on fire // gasoline // match // we won’t suffocate to death lol we can shoot open weapons,” according to the affidavit.
There was also talk of taking hostages. “We can be even more careful if you’d like and take hostages and assess which ones we can kill letting go the elderly and the children,” he messaged one of the sources.
Neighbors who live near the family of Azizi-Yarand were shocked at news of his arrest.
“It’s absolutely crazy,” said Michelle Prevette, 45, who lives next door. “We just moved in two weeks ago. That’s what tripping me out.”
During an April 18 conversation with the undercover employee, the Plano teen sent a link to a video of a person shooting an AR-15 rifle. Part of his message stated: “My rifle needs to be pretty and cool looking // put an I Love America sticky on the side.”